Tuesday was very uneventful...smooth water...not much to attract your attention...just an interesting restaurant...we file this under "oh, the things they do to old tow boats". Ended up calling it a day about 10 miles short of our goal...couldn't get the marina to answer..so stayed at Starved Rock instead...worked out nicely.

Monday we left as JOLLY ROGER was getting gas and pump out. They caught up with us in time to lock through and have a small Kodak moment...then zoom, off they went. They travel pretty fast compared to our 10 miles an hour. They'll probably be in Green Turtle Bay before we get to St Charles...

Sometimes it is hard to tell who is having the most fun...Captain or crew...but this time I think it is pretty obvious...CREW...oh, and we might be better looking...

And who was docking when we returned??? JOLLY ROGER...Mary and Roger didn't have many kind words for our barge friends. Seems the tow drivers would not let them pass ...so their day got way longer than planned. We sent them up the hill for therapy....

Harbor Side Marina proved to be one of those character places...docked twice trying to find electricity...sure seemed to have more than a fair share of house boats...and they were houses...not really boats...no motors and not going anywhere ...just floating in a slip in this marina. We enjoyed the view of river activity on Sunday evening...especially this guy in his ultra-light buzzing around..but it didn't take us long to head up the hill for supper and drinks...Long boating day, 54 miles, 70 bridges, 3 locks...and just a few challenging situations...we needed alcohol therapy!!!

The next few miles were pretty uneventful in comparison...and full of duck blinds. Some were well done; others not so much. Good reason to not be in this area during duck season and to keep an orange jacket handy. Needless to say, we didn't really see any ducks hanging around either.

Floyd was just impressed that he was flying a Texas flag...and no harm, no damage...another interesting challenge to Captain and Crew...cause for celebration and drinks at the bar...yep, no cooking for us tonight!!!

Going down!!! Fourth floor, suits and ties had no takers!!!

And then the lock master said...come on in...we'll take you down with these barges and tow boats...and two other pleasure craft came in behind us...it was a small moment of terror as Captain had to make some quick manuveers to avoid the wall...tow boat prop wash gave us a pretty wild ride getting into the lock...Then lock master wanted to do things a little differently than we had planned...so crew had to hop to it...but adjustments were made...and we had a smooth ride down at the very front of the lock. Our bow was actually so far out at one point we feared the opening doors were going to get us...but they didn't. (Notice that the bigger boat on the right is tied to the barges, not the lock wall.)

Just as we were thanking our lucky stars...things got really interesting...and barge and tow parked on the other side...a tow coming through...and two of us waiting in a little hidey hole...but we were almost through the 12 miles...so how much worse could it get???

yes, twelve miles of a narrow working industrial channel...doesn't give us big pleasure boats much wiggle room...or notice...we had thought that by traveling on Sunday it wouldn't be busy...or at least as busy as during the work week...we didn't encounter many...

It looked like such a lovely water fall until you realized that its purpose was to dilute the sewage and chemicals coming from two directions into one channel ...and noticed all those caution signs...it was a sign we were entering what they call "12 miles of hell".

Our laughter for the day was provided by two things: (1) Caution signs all along the Chicago River that warned to NOT swim or allow the water to come in contact with humans and (2) The No Parking signs for barges...always with several barges parked in front of them.

Our plan was that transiting downtown Chicago and the narrow industrial area on Sunday we would avoid much of the busier weekday barge traffic...and that seemed to work pretty well. We passed only a couple of barges headed the up and then just the one who came behind us at the railroad bridge. Then we locked thru with a big barge (PAT WHITE) that provided us with that short moment of terror...we also heard about him from the JOLLY ROGER..story is he won't let them pass and they don't go slow...put them way behind their plan for the day.

Probably the most interesting bridge we dealt with all day...and it gave us the most difficulty...ConRail lift Bridge...10 foot clearance...no way under it. Yet when we hailed them on the radio, we got NO response...all three times. Finally we resorted to a phone call...and again, NO response. Sudden;y behind us appeared a barge and tow boat...presto, chango...up goes the bridge. We were glad to see him, even though he couldn't see us...we warned him we were there. And I guess we weren't the only folks who had issues with this bridge, we got a call later from JOLLY ROGER wanting advice about how to get through here... they couldn't raise anyone either. Come to think of it, we never did hear a response to the barge hail of the bridge master...it just began to rise...and we scooted right under...another case of impeccable timing...

Nice scenery...interesting little pagoda...they didn't seem too interested in us....even though we spent almost a half hour
in a holding position there...waiting for the railroad bridge...another story...

All those buildings...and I do manage to spot a place to stop and do a little shopping...there even seems to be dockage...but no...he drives right by two of my favorite places...DSW and Marshall's...it is grounds for mutiny...

New crew member Becky earned her title and a raise...we put her to work on the stern at the locks...and even encountered a short moment of terror...just to break her in!!! Three pleasure boats, two tow boats, and four barges in the lock...add wind and prop wash...it was exciting there for a moment...but no harm, no damage...so life goes on!!! Well, other than the remaining tension and crankiness...but nothing a little alcohol can't cure. LOL

We did over 70 bridges in the 54 miles that we traveled...most were in downtown Chicago...and many were close enough to touch...Captain was having some fun!!!! You could see that grin from the bow

photo...The subtitle for today was locks and bridges, bridges, bridges....oh, and more bridges...the lowest we've encountered!!!! Lots of "do not open" ones. Downtown Chicago is bridge heaven. Those tall, tall buildings look even taller when you are in that channel below the street level...We had to be able to go under them. We had lowered our antennas to make us as short as possible ...that made us exactly 16 feet tall...several of the bridges today were only 17 feet...One was 16.5...luckily, they said the water was a half a foot low...must say there were just a few anxious moments and often we wondered about just reaching up and touching the bridge.

First stop...Chicago Lock #1 right next to Navy Pier...three radio calls and lots of waiting...finally we dialed them up on the cell phone...probably asleep at that early hour as there was no activity anywhere...It was a short trip down two feet into downtown and the Chicago River...

Sunday as we headed out we were very aware of the activity on shore...the Annual Chicago Triathlon...one of the largest competitions in the world...this was the scene at 7 AM...bicycles and people everywhere....

Our favorite view of Navy Peir and downtown Chicago...as much as we love you...we gotta head South!!!!

(L to R....Colbys, Carters and TUMBLEWEED crew)

Saturday Floyd started our day by fixing a BIG brunch...Becky and I then took off for "munging" at Crate and Barrel and followed by a fruitful visit to Macy's. Our evening entertainment was dinner at Columbia Yacht Club...we were joined by Mary and Roger Carter (our JOLLY ROGER friends have caught up with us)...and Marc and Shelley Colby (former Wichitans aboard ROCK CHALK )...File them under small world. Just last Monday, Carla Smith and I had discussed her loopy experience this summer on the Trent-Severn with the Colby's. She was so hoping we could meet up with them...well, guess what Carla, we did. We spent a delightful though very windy evening together admiring the night skyline and then the great fireworks of Navy Pier.

Friday night we returned to Weber Grill...really a must-do when you visit Chicago...every thing is cooked on charcoal grills...it is truly a delightful dining experience...

Friday was a beautiful day on Lake Michigan...welcome cooler temps from the blasting heat in Kansas....though our new crew member who tends to have issues with motion sickness didn't care much for those following seas...we thought the trip was just peachy...well, except that Becky was a little green around the edges..once we got inside the break water things settled down and we made it safe and sound to DuSable Marina...back where we stayed the end of July. We liked it then and we liked it again.

Becky and I left Wichita at 1:50 AM on Thursday, arrived in Newton and waited and waited for the Amtrak...it was almost an hour late...we made good time to KC and then lost it all and then some before arriving in Chicago almost 2 hours late. That put these two Kansas girls among rush hour pedestrians lugging suitcases on the METRA...for a long ride to Winthrop Harbor. Followed by a brisk 2 mile hike to the boat...we were very tired puppies. Floyd was a great help, providing a wheelie cart for transport of our carry ons and then fixing a fabulous meal...and then outlining the day trip to Chicago that would start at 9 AM on Friday ....no rest for us....

My time in Wichita flew by...lunches and dinners with friends and family...hair cuts, manicures and pedicures...precious time with my Dad and fun, giggle time with my Mom. As luck would have it, while I was in Fredonia, her New Jeep Grand Cherokee arrived. WOW...one nice ride...on Wednesday before leaving for this leg, my brothers joined us for lunch and Becky took this great photo!!! I think we are a pretty good looking bunch...but then I'm prejudiced!

I head back to TUMBLEWEED on Thursday...My BFF Becky is joining us for the last leg to finish the LOOP...Chicago to St Charles...Floyd has been checking off those boat chores...we are excited and ready for this!!!!

Things are going well...though separately...Floyd is checking off boat chores and projects in Winthrop Harbor, Ill. He is enjoying the peace and quiet (though maybe it is too much on the quiet) and cooler temps. Absence makes the heart grow fonder!!! I am in Wichita where I have already fixed the hot water heater, gotten a pedicure/manicure and haircut from my people, spent 3 days shopping and giggling with my Mom., cleaned and mowed at 9219 (my home recently vacated by my Son).. and, of course, made good use of the condo pool and gone out to lunch and/or dinner with friends every day. I head to Fredonia on Thursday for the weekend. Then a round appointments before returning to the TUMBLEWEED on Aug 25th. I love when plans really work...so far, so good.

Captain and crew slept in on Saturday...cleaned up a bit and then took in the sights and sounds of Harbor Days at North Point Marina...boating vendors, craft booths, face painting, air slides and, of course, beer and food...lots of boats for sale... open and ready for viewing...Some were really BIG...no checks were written ... TUMBLEWEED is still ours!!!! we saw it all...now time for naps...

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Go, CUBS, Go....Go, CUBS, Go....Hey, Chicago, what do you say? CUBS gonna win today...

Friday was a busy day...we wanted to attend the CUBS game at 1:20...so that meant catching the METRA in Waukegan, finding Wrigley Field from the Ravenswood stop....(oh, just a little bit farther...for 3 miles...shoulda taken a taxi or bus)...then, of course, we had to find (scalpers are such a bunch of rip-off artists!!!) some tickets for a game that was sold out!!!! That didn't go as well as we expected but at least we got in the game....and eventually found some great seats...and it was a wonderful game. An in-the-park home run for the CUBS...shade, cool breeze, and most important...CUBS WIN!!!! CUBS WIN!!!!...shopping for CUBS gear afterwards and a visit to a local bar for food and beverages...then taxi and METRA back to Waukegan. We did find a Baskin-Robbins on the drive back to the boat... Left at 9 AM...and it was almost 9PM when we finally got home....hot, tired, and H A P P Y....BTW, those are some of Stan's friends in the blechers...we missed getting to see them...the only downer of the trip!!!